Speaking in the budget debate today, I said it was an insult to my constituents’ intelligence to suggest that they would be better off.

I pointed out that as a result of the changes in last year’s budget, coming into effect on April 1st, the average family with two children is set to lose £530 a year. The increase in personal allowance announced today would only increase that same family’s income by £220, and not until a year from now.

I was also absolutely shocked to later find out the details of the “granny tax” that the Chancellor hid in his budget. We now know that any pensioner paying income tax will also not be better off, but will actually lose £75 per year from next April. Those who turn 65 next year will lose out by £314.

And all of this to fund a tax cut for the very richest in our country, including millionaires who will each gain more than £40,000 a year by paying lower taxes.